Chapter 6: Field Notes & Reporting Flashcards
_______ are the short-hand written record made by a police officer from the time she/he arrives at the scene until the assignment is completed. These are more reliable than the officer’s memory.
Field Notes
_______ are the foundation for writing the incident report because the field notes are its primary source of information.
Field Notes
Even in a short period of time, some important details may be forgotten. Detailed _______ are reliable and can help ensure that important details are not left out of a report.
Field Notes
Police _______ and reports are filled with hearsay evidence and would ordinarily not be admissible in court except for one of the exceptions to the hearsay rule: They are business records that are regularly prepared in the course of doing police work.
Field Notes
Officers can refer to _______ to refresh my recollection when testifying in court.
Field Notes
_______ establish that the elements of a specific crime occurred.
Field Notes
Strong _______ demonstrate refresh my recollection when testifying in court.
Field Notes
_______ can be used to defend the accuracy and integrity of the incident report by showing a link between the field notes and the content of the report.
Field Notes
_______ can document inconsistent statements made by those at the scene.
Field Notes
_______ can document inconsistent statements made by those at the scene.
Field Notes
_______ contribute to the community’s perception that the department has well-trained officers.
Field Notes
_______ can ensure that evidence will be admitted because its presence at the scene is documented.
Field Notes
A well-prepared _______ based on a thorough investigation of an offense can promote the rapid apprehensive of the suspect, thus preventing further crimes and making the recovery of property more likely.
Offense Report
There are two indispensable elements of reports:
- Accuracy
2. Clear communication of the meaning that the writer intended.
Separating _______ from each other to avoid contamination of recall, and interview them individually.
Witnesses
Identify the _______ or other state of a person being interviewed.
Emotional
Do not reveal your _______, _______, or _______ when conducting an interview.
a. Emotions
b. Impatient
c. Disbelief
Use _______ cues to encourage the person to continue speaking.
Nonverbal
If a speaker loses focus or begins _______ wandering, bring him or her back to the topic.
Verbally
Record exact _______, _______, or _______ whenever possible.
a. Words
b. Phrases
c. Sentences
Make sure you have all _______ locator information, and read it back and have them correct or verify it.
Victim and Witness
Develop a _______ and use it consistently.
Short-Hand
Develop skills at detecting _______.
Lying
Treat all people with _______.
Dignity and Respect
_______ appear to encourage officers and members of the public to be more cordial towards each other.
Body Worn Cameras (BWC)
_______ reduce frivolous complaints and suits against the police.
Body Worn Cameras (BWC)
Some _______ recording will provide important evidence.
Body Worn Camera (BWC)
Occasionally, _______ from Body Worn Cameras (BWC) will provide good material for training recruits.
Recordings
_______ stimulate public confidence in the police.
Body Worn Cameras (BWC)
Officers who seriously miss behave can be separated from service by using _______.
Body Worn Cameras (BWC)
The use of _______ can reduce police litigation cost.
Body Worn Cameras (BWC)
A “_______” agency believes viewing a video may taint an officer’s recollection.
No Access
An “access” agency recognize that:
- The human field of vision covers 180°
- The human brain has a field of attention of 50 to 60°
- Under conditions of stress, this field narrows to 1/2 of a degree.
Public online reporting systems proliferated (increased significantly) because it was an important strategy of leveraging sources to create for important advantages:
- The public could almost instantly report many crimes 24/7.
- Time of officers was preserved to preserved to provide other services.
- Community participation in policing would be enhanced.
- Online reporting systems are cost-effective.
The six basic investigative questions:
Who, What, When, Where, How, & Why
The incident report must contain as much detail about the suspect as is known, including:
a. Description Data
b. Clothing
c. Hair
d. Complexion
e. Language or Accent
f. Weapons Displayed
The narrative report generally makes the most sense if written in a _______ format beginning with the earliest thin that happened and progressing to the most recent that are happening.
Chronological
After approving an incident report, the supervisor must make one of what kind of dispositions of it.
- Retained (Further Investigation)
- Unfounded
- Inactive (Lack of Leads)
- Referred (Further Investigation by Plain Clothed Officers)
- Case Closed
the purposes of writing a follow-up report are:
- When new information is discovered.
- Within 10 days of a newly assigned case.
- If no significant information is obtained within 30 days, the detective supervisor may inactivate a case.
- When an investigative milestone occurs including composite sketch made, identification of a suspect, search/arrest warrants obtained/executed and property recovered.
